…..as Hon. Faida Sarumi commends initiative

The founder of the Imole Aibana Foundation, Alhaji Sheriff Aibana, has donated food items, school bags, scholarships and National Examinations Council (NECO) examination forms to pupils and students in Ago Ika and its environs in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The donations were made during the unveiling of the Imole Aibana Foundation in Abeokuta, where Aibana said the foundation had been operating in Lagos with the aim of improving lives and positively impacting communities.

Aibana explained that since relocating permanently to Abeokuta, his hometown, he had decided to extend his humanitarian efforts to residents facing various challenges, saying the three-day programme had exposed him to the realities confronting many people in the community, particularly in the areas of humanitarian needs and philanthropy.

According to him, the experience had motivated the foundation to expand its activities beyond the areas covered during its first outing so that more people could benefit from its interventions, adding that the foundation was established to complement government efforts in supporting vulnerable members of society, noting that government alone could not meet all the needs of citizens.

He called on individuals and organisations to contribute their quota to the development of society, assuring that the foundation would organise more programmes regularly, both within and outside the community, appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to support government efforts aimed at alleviating hardship and improving the welfare of citizens.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Hon. Faida Akintunde Sarumi, stressed the importance of education and the need to provide quality education for the younger generation.

While commending Aibana for the initiative, Sarumi urged other stakeholders to emulate the gesture and support programmes that would improve the lives of children and contribute to building a better society.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, who was represented by his Vice, Hon. Taiyelolu Egbeyemi, praised the foundation's commitment to supporting members of the community.

He said the gesture would provide succour to parents preparing their children for the new academic session.

Sodipo also applauded the financial support provided to the aged and widows, as well as the assistance with NECO examination forms for secondary school students in the community.

He urged other philanthropists in Ogun State to emulate the initiative and support efforts aimed at improving the welfare and educational prospects of residents.

The APC Chairman of Ward 7 in Abeokuta North Local Government, Mr. Adekunle Musa, also commended Aibana for organising the programme at a time when many families were facing economic challenges.

Musa highlighted some of the foundation's interventions, including donations to the Stella Obasanjo Orphanage Home in Ibara, a free medical outreach where residents received blood sugar and blood pressure tests as well as medications, and the distribution of school bags and NECO examination forms to pupils and secondary school students.

He added that the foundation also awarded scholarships and provided cash assistance to aged people and widows in the community, urging Aibana not to relent in his humanitarian activities, assuring him that his efforts would continue to make a positive difference in the lives of the beneficiaries.